PRIVATE developer Peter Deeley believes that Coventry has entered one of the most important decades in its history.

As chairman of Deeley Properties, he is among several developers promoting the city at the world's largest property show.

The £130 million Belgrade Plaza - which is being created by Deeley Properties and Oakmoor Estates - will see the creation of two hotels, a casino, bars, restaurants and apartments to form an entertainment and leisure quarter.

It is one of several schemes being highlighted to 24,000 delegates at the MIPIM show in France - and Mr Deeley believes that Coventry's profile in the industry has never been higher.

He said: "Coventry has gone through many changes in the past 100 years, but I believe that what is planned and currently coming to fruition in the city centre makes this one of the most important decades in its history.

"We have operated in the city for 70 years and know it extremely well.

"The fringes of the city and the business parks have been extremely successful and helped drive the economy of Coventry forward, but the central area is always the heart of any city.

"The Phoenix Initiative and the Ricoh Arena showed that big, imaginative projects can happen here in Coventry and there are schemes - including the one we and Oakmoor Estates are creating - which are happening or are in the pipeline and are massively important.

"People outside the city are aware of what is happening in Coventry and they are taking notice."

For the first time, private sector companies have joined Coventry City Council to fund the showcasing of the city at the four-day MIPIM show, which starts on Tuesday.